Chatham County Public Health Department has partnered with Jordan Matthews High School to begin a Peer Education Program for implementation within the county. Several weeks ago, nine of Jordan Matthews High School 10th-12th grade students were trained as Peer Educators and formed the “PEP Squad”. All nine students have completed 6 weeks of training and are officially Peer Educators of the Chatham County Public Health Department.
The Peer Educators have been trained on various teen social and sexual health issues which include respect, trust, values, sexual assault/rape, reproductive health including the contraction and prevention of Sexually Transmitted Diseases/Infections, teen pregnancy, and much more. The educators devoted almost four hours out of each of the past six Mondays to gain the skills and knowledge needed to help their peers adopt healthy social and sexual health behaviors.
Research shows, that messages about teen health issues are often heard due to the messenger and the relationship with the messenger. Peer education can support young people in developing positive group norms and in making healthy decisions about sex. The Jordan Matthews PEP Squad is motivated to provide messages and information to their peers with the hopes that the results are positive and healthy for their future.
Not only have the peer educators learned information for the benefit of their peers but they have also gained confidence in themselves as leaders of the community. Chatham County and Jordan Matthews High School, meet your Peer Educators: Chris Dunn, Lindsey Pyrtle, Theodocia Bynum, Hannah Brown, Traci Newby, Michelle Tobar, Caroline Inman, Sasha Morphis, and Courtney Brown.
The list does not have to stop here. Students of Chatham County, if you are interested in becoming a peer educator at your school, talk to a PEP Squad member or look for PEP recruitment tables within your school . Chatham County, look for us in your community!! PEP SQUAD, Peers Educating Peers…One Friend at a Time! For more information, please contact Erika Gabriel at the Chatham County Public Health Department at Erika.gabriel@chathamnc.org
The “PEP Squad” is seen here at the Sportsman Lanes bowling alley in Siler City to celebrate the completion of training, reflect on the year and to plan events and activities for the upcoming year.
